Fun Ideas for Things to Paint On and With

by Lauri Griffin | More from this Blogger

13 Apr 2008 03:10 PM

Painting on rectangle shaped paper with plain old paintbrushes is fun, but there are so many other things you and your children can paint on and with!

Consider paper shapes, a kite, a rain drop, or flower shape would all be great for this time of year. Craft paper comes in large rolls and only costs a few dollars. The kids can paint a mural or a custom painting for their bedroom doors. They can paint a life-sized version of themselves. Also think small. Business cards are great for painting. So are old greeting cards. Scrounge around the kitchen. I bet you can find old cereal or oatmeal boxes, cardboard tubes from paper towels or toilet paper, egg cartons, cereal boxes, paper plates, or coffee filters. Outside you'll find twigs and small branches, sea shells, maybe a few leftover bricks or scrap lumber, and terracotta pots. And don't forget rocks!

Besides paintbrushes, you can paint with lots of things. Rob the bathroom for q-tips, cotton balls, and old toothbrushes. Outside you can find twigs, leaves, or small branches. You may even be able to find a few feathers. From the kitchen you can cut up pieces of a sponge. You can even slice up fruits and vegetables and paint with the end of a carrot or a cross section of an apple. And don't forget the garage. Ours holds packing peanuts, string, regular wall sized paintbrushes, and some foam brushes.

To be really adventurous with painting, combine a few of these ideas. For example, glue a few boxes, paper plates, and twigs together first, let them dry, and then paint away at your creation with your choice of brushes.

Also See:

Fun With Watercolors

Fun Activity - Painted Rocks

Easy Paint Projects for Preschoolers

Learn more about Lauri Griffin

Lauri lives in Colorado with her husband and three sons. Amidst all the laundry and packing of lunches, she tries to keep parenting fun.

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